The Ni Vu Ni Connu label documented in 2022 five collaborations of British sax master John Butcher with like-minded improvisers such as Sophie Agnel or Magda Mayas and Tony Buck, four of which were recorded at Berlin’s Ausland in November 2019. Now this label adds two meetings of Butcher with British improvisers – violinist Angharad Davies, double bass player John Edwards, drummer-percussionist Mark Sanders and electronics player Pat Thomas (all played in Burcher’s masterful Fluid Fixations, Weight of Wax, 2024), recorded live London’s Iklectik on February and April 2022. Lower Marsh features Butcher in a series of intimate duets while Unblockings features Butcher in a quartet setting with the same musicians (without Edwards). These albums may be sort of farewell note to one of London’s most crucial venues for improvised music and sound art, and a very attractive venue, acoustically and atmospherically for musicians. after its unexpected closure in late 2023 due to gentrification.
Unlockings documents the new and first-of-its-kind quartet line-up of Butcher, Davies, Sanders and Thomas, all have been collaborating in different contexts. Butcher wanted the new setting would add a surprising sonic dimension and would push these experienced improvisers – including himself – beyond their ideas. The album title pays homage to this essence of the art of the moment, following the music’s in-the-moment suggestions and allowing a process of discovery, uncovering, and even unlocking. Unlockings captures the unedited 40-minute set, focusing on an uncompromising yet poetic search for new sounds, textures and improvisation strategies, a process of «rediscovering endless wheels», as Butcher calls it. This arresting and inspired process reaches a beautiful conclusion on the encore. This ad-hoc quartet explores highly personal and adventurous sonic languages while leaving each other enough space to unfold and without ever neglecting the contributions of their comrades.
The five duos of Lower Marsh were recorded on the same day, except the two duos with Edwards that were recorded two months before, also at Iklectik. The musicians did not prepare for their duos before entering the stage together. «Choosing is probably 75% about the player and 25% about the instrument», Butcher says. «I want to hear the personalities of the players. This can include elements of playing that step back from ego and personal expression. In duos, you can be a very nuanced version of yourself, following your path but at the same time continually adjusting your intentions according to what you’re hearing from your partner».
The idiosyncratic qualities of Butcher, Thomas, Edwards, Davies and Sanders become notably more present on Lower Marsh. «Breakthrough Serenade» with Thomas offers an erratic conversation between Thomas’ noisy samples and Butcher’s commanding extended breathing techniques, turning this improvisation into an alien-like cryptic, interaction. The two duos with Edwards – «Loop, flash, whoop» and «Furl / unfurl», taken from a 25-minute-long set, sound like an emphatic chat between close friends who exchange nuanced stories and experiences, and Butcher and Edwards each other in creating sonic depth out of individual sound events. «This vivid strain» with Davies focuses on the almost chamber, textural qualities of their instruments. The last duo «Swim in Sunlight» with long-time collaborator Sanders is the most playful one and allows Butcher to enjoy Sanders’ instant groove.
Eyal Hareuveni
John Butcher (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone), Pat Thomas (electronics), John Edwards (double bass), Angharad Davies (violin), Mark Sanders (percussion)
